In a cultural milestone for the region, Channel 4’s The Piano recently concluded its season finale at Aviva Studios, home of Factory International, in Manchester—a first for the show and a historic moment for the North of England.
This event marked the first time the finale was hosted outside London and underscores a growing trend among brands and event organisers to seek out venues that offer both flexibility and a distinctive character. Aviva Studios has quickly established itself as a leading venue for such transformative events.
Turning North: A new era for event venues
This move to the North is symbolic of a broader shift in the events industry. Manchester, a city with a rich history in music, culture, and innovation, is emerging as a key player in the entertainment landscape.
The decision to host The Piano’s finale at Aviva Studios was not just about changing location, it was about embracing a venue that could meet the exacting demands of a broadcast production while offering something new and unique.
Last year’s finale took place at London’s Royal Festival Hall, a venue steeped in tradition. By contrast, Aviva Studios, with its cutting-edge design and versatile spaces, provided a fresh canvas that could be moulded to fit the specific needs of this year’s production.
Aviva Studios are at the forefront of venue innovation, offering spaces that are not just places to host events, but dynamic environments that can be reimagined for any purpose.
This adaptability was showcased at the official opening of the venue. Aviva Studios’ debut production, Free Your Mind, was a large-scale live performance spectacle directed by multi-award-winning filmmaker Danny Boyle.
Inspired by the iconic Matrix films, it combined immersive dance, cutting-edge stage design, and a narrative exploring humanity’s relationship with technology. The venue’s spaces were used to their full potential, with super-sized movable walls allowing for innovative staging configurations. The production’s design was tailored specifically to the venue, demonstrating the adaptability and scale of its spaces.
Flexibility and innovation: the hallmarks of Aviva Studios
What sets Aviva Studios apart is its design philosophy, which emphasises flexibility and adaptability. Designed by Ellen van Loon of the renowned Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), the venue is built around large, open spaces that can be reconfigured to meet the demands of any event.
This was crucial to produce The Piano finale, which required a setting that could accommodate both the technical requirements of television broadcast productions and the aesthetic and acoustic demands of a world-class concert.
The Hall at Aviva Studios, where the finale was staged, is a prime example of this. With a stage that can be adjusted to various configurations and a seating capacity of up to 1,500, it offers a versatile space that can be tailored to the needs of any event.
The venue also includes a 21-metre-high Warehouse, which can accommodate up to 5,000 people standing and can be divided by a moveable, full-height acoustic wall. This level of adaptability is a game-changer for event organisers looking for venues that can provide a unique experience for their audiences.
A hub for creativity and commerce
Since its launch, Aviva Studios has become a hub for some of the world’s most innovative and creative minds. The venue’s opening show, Free Your Mind, a Matrix-inspired production created by Danny Boyle, set the tone for what was to come—ambitious, large-scale events that push the boundaries of what’s possible. This vision has continued with a diverse array of events, from concerts and exhibitions to corporate events and awards ceremonies.
Manchester is a city with a rich history of music, culture, arts, and innovation. Aviva Studios is opening a new chapter for the city, encouraging organisations to create unique experiences that enable artists to thrive. The venue’s ability to attract high-profile events like The Piano finale is a testament to its growing reputation as a premier destination for both cultural and commercial events.
Jane Hector-Jones, Commercial Director at Factory International, highlighted the venue’s flexibility as a key factor in its appeal to a wide range of commercial partners and the choice to use Aviva Studios is “a natural and exciting alternative to venues in London. The movement of events to being increasingly held in the North is an amazing sign of Manchester’s ever-growing significance and the impact versatile and innovative venues like Aviva Studios can have in bringing fresh opportunities to the region”.
The future of events in Manchester
Looking ahead, Aviva Studios is set to play a central role in Manchester’s cultural and commercial landscape. The venue’s ability to adapt to the needs of different events makes it an attractive option for organisers looking to host everything from intimate performances to large-scale productions.
The success of The Piano finale at Aviva Studios is not just a win for Manchester, it’s a clear signal that the North is ready to take on a larger role in the global events industry. With its state-of-the-art facilities and commitment to innovation, Aviva Studios is setting a new standard for what event spaces can be—dynamic, adaptable, and always ready to create innovative content with an impact that stretches far beyond the stage.
